Responsibility: State Government (north of Railton), Local Government (southeast of Railton)

B13 is a 35km route in northern Tasmania, linking the Bass Highway (NH1) with the towns of Kimberley and Railton. The southern part of the route is significant as part of the main route to Sheffield, Cradle Mountain and Queenstown (via Cethana) from Launceston and the Meander Valley. B13 also provides access to the Lake Barrington Rowing Course which is the site of the Australian Masters Rowing Championships.

The route is sealed along the full length, generally with a narrow pavement along a curving and undulating alignment. Traffic is heaviest along the section north of Railton which links Sheffield with Latrobe and Devonport, as well as serving the cement plant at Railton.

The northern portion of the route, from Latrobe to Railton, is a declared Main Road, under State Government control. The portion from Railton to Elizabeth Town was formerly a Main Road but was decommissioned in 1992 as part of a review of the classified road network.

Initially, signposting along the route simply referred to Elizabeth Town, Railton and Spreyton. Following construction of the Cradle Mountain Link Road, providing a new route to the West Coast, references to Queenstown were added to many signs to assist in navigation from Launceston to the West Coast. In 1991/92, reference to Cradle Mountain was also added to new signs. As a result, there's currently a selection of original, 2nd generation (referencing Queenstown) and 3rd generation (referencing Cradle Mountain) signs along the route.

Photos of route B13

AD sign westbound on Mersey Main Rd (B19), approaching the junction with Railton Main Rd (B13) as you cross a Mersey River flood channel, 2km west of Latrobe. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Mersey Main Rd (B19) eastbound approaching the junction with Railton Main Rd (B13), 2km west of Latrobe. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2007.

ID sign assembly at the intersection of Mersey Main Rd (B19) & Railton Main Rd (B13), 2km west of Latrobe. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2007.

RD sign southbound on Railton Main Rd (B13) near the junction with Mersey Main Rd (B19), 2km west of Latrobe.
Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Railton Main Rd (B13) looking south across the Mersey River flats, approximately 1.5km south of Mersey Main Rd (B19).Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Railton Main Rd (B13) looking south through plantation forests, approximately 7km north of Railton. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Railton Main Rd (B13) looking south into the town of Railton with the substation on the right. The Cement Australia plant is located just out of shot, to the right of the picture. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Railton Main Rd (B13), looking south through the intersection with Native Rocks Rd (C153) at Railton. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Railton Main Rd (B13) looking south towards the railway level crossing and the junction with Sheffield Main Rd (B14), Railton. B13 continues to the left as Railton Rd. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Railton Main Rd (B13) looking north from the railway level crossing at Railton.
Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Railton Main Rd (B13) looking south across the railway level crossing at Railton.
Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Railton Main Rd (B13) looking south on the northern approach to the bridge over the Dasher River at Kimberley. Prior to construction of the current bridge, Railton Rd swung west into what is now Bridle Track Rd, crossing the river approximately 150m upstream.
Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

RD sign northbound on Railton Main Rd, just north of the Dasher River bridge at Kimberley.
Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Fingerboard sign assembly at the intersection of Railton Rd (B13) & Weegana Rd (C160), Kimberley. The left-pointing fingerboard is a 2nd generation sign which added reference to Queenstown (newer signs such as those in the above photo refer to Cradle Mountain instead). The other signs appear to date from the initial signposting of these routes.
Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Immediately south of the railway level crossing is the intersection with Gannons Hill Rd, which provides a short link to the Bass Highway. These original fingerboard signs face traffic entering B13 from Gannons Hill Rd. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Fingerboard sign assembly at the intersection of Railton Rd (B13) & Dunorlan Rd (C161) at Moltema. The sign pointing towards Railton is another 2nd generation sign which refers to (Sheffield B14) and (Queenstown), whilst the other two white fingerboards are original. The sign for Villarett Gardens is a more recent addition under modern tourist signposting standards. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Railton Rd (B13) looking west towards the intersection with Dunorlan Rd (C161) at Moltema. The route makes a right turn here. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.